"As much as I hate to admit it, it's true," Cedric said with a grin, looking at the wide-eyed disbelief on Harry, Ron, and Hermione's faces. "Kyle learned the sixth-year Transfiguration curriculum back in our third year during the Transfiguration Club. At the time, everyone, including Professor McGonagall, thought it was incredible."
"That's why she decided to recommend Kyle to Transfiguration Today," Kanna added.
She gave a knowing nod, recalling how Kyle had brewed the Draught of Living Death during their Advanced Potion-Making class that same year. The feat had left a lasting impression on her—and resulted in her spending her Christmas holidays cramming with Snape to catch up.
Harry and Ron exchanged incredulous looks, their expressions now even more bewildered. It was clear they were both thinking the same thing:
We need to leave—right now.
Although they had always known the gap between themselves and Kyle was vast, seeing that disparity laid out so blatantly was demoralizing. How could the difference between wizards be so enormous? They both regretted coming with Hermione.
"That's why I've said I'm not suited to teaching others," Kyle continued, unfazed by their reactions. "Cedric, on the other hand, has always been at the top of his year. He's got straight O's in all his subjects and earned a perfect score in the O.W.L. Use of Charms. He's exceptionally well-rounded in both practical and theoretical magic."
"And he's already experienced in teaching. Cedric often helps younger students in the common room. If you're looking for a student to teach, there's no one better than him."
Cedric sighed, clearly unamused by the glowing endorsement. "I feel like you're just praising yourself in disguise," he muttered. "If you can master something after hearing it once, I have to go through it step by step."
"Don't worry about the details," Kyle replied with a playful smile. "What, you don't want to teach them?"
"That's not it," Cedric said, shaking his head. "If someone's willing to listen, I'm happy to help."
"See? That's settled then," Kyle said before turning to Hermione. "Of course, if you have someone else in mind, that's perfectly fine. The more 'student-professors' there are, the better, as long as everyone trusts them."
Hermione remained quiet, her expression a mixture of emotions as she nodded. Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were still signaling to her behind her back, eager to leave.
Hermione looked as though she wanted to say more, but under her friends' insistent urging, she reluctantly put her thoughts aside and returned to the Gryffindor table with them.
Once they were out of earshot, Kyle ended the Muffliato Charm with a flick of his wand.
Cedric turned to him, frowning slightly. "They seemed really disappointed. Are you sure you're not going to teach them?"
"I have other priorities," Kyle replied simply. "Besides, you really are a much better fit as a professor than I am."
"Don't say that," Cedric said, shaking his head again. "I'm not qualified to be a professor—I'm just going to help them with some Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"Is that so?" Kyle asked with a teasing smirk. "Maybe Cho will join the group too. Don't you want her to call you 'Professor'?"
"Pfft!"
Cedric had just taken a sip of pumpkin juice, but Kyle's remark made him choke, spilling it everywhere.
Luckily, Kyle was ready. With a quick flick of his wand, the droplets of pumpkin juice floating mid-air coalesced before vanishing with a quiet Evanesco.
Justin Finch-Fletchley, who was sitting opposite Cedric, glanced over and gave Kyle an appreciative nod for preventing the mess from reaching him.
"Sorry, Justin," Cedric apologized hastily. But then, as if realizing something, his face flushed red, and he turned to Kyle with an irritated glare.
"What are you even talking about? I'm really not fit to be a professor!"
"I didn't say anything else," Kyle replied with an innocent shrug. "So why are you getting so worked up?"
"You…" Cedric stammered, his face growing even redder, with the tips of his ears turning crimson as well.
"Okay, fine—not a professor then," Kyle said, skillfully defusing the moment. "So, what are you planning to teach them? The Stunning Spell, the Disarming Charm, or the Shield Charm?"
"All of those are good options," Cedric said, taking a few breaths to calm himself. "But I think the Shield Charm is the most essential. It's the foundation of defense. And… what do you think about using Professor Moody's teaching style as a template? We could organize it a bit more systematically."
"Oh, and don't forget Professor Lupin's lessons. The Smokescreen Spell and Slowing Charm he taught were incredibly practical."
"Starting with defensive and evasive techniques… That's a really smart idea," Kyle nodded in approval. "See? You really are better suited to teach them than me."
"But…" Cedric cast a glance toward the Gryffindor table. "I feel like they'd still prefer you to teach the class instead of me."
"Forget it," Kyle said softly. "Everyone has a role to play—just like in a Quidditch match. Beyond the players on the teams, the referee's role is equally important…"
Cedric frowned slightly, unsure what Kyle meant by that, but Kyle didn't elaborate. Instead, he shifted the conversation.
"If this is going to be a proper class, you'll need a suitable location. Have you thought about where it'll be?"
"I haven't had the chance," Cedric admitted. "This idea was dropped on me out of nowhere—how could I have figured out a location already?"
"Maybe the sixth floor?" Cedric suggested after a moment of thought. "There are a lot of unused classrooms there, and it's usually pretty quiet."
"No," Kyle said immediately. "Just because there are fewer people doesn't mean no one will notice. Over time, someone's bound to find out. Let's use the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor instead."
"The Room of Requirement?" Cedric's eyes lit up as he remembered the magical space on the eighth floor. "That's perfect! No one will discover us there."
"Exactly," Kyle said with a small smile.
After dinner, the two returned to the Hufflepuff common room to work out additional details.
"I'll let Hermione know about the Room of Requirement tomorrow," Cedric said. "But… I wonder how many people will want to join. I mean, it's technically an extra class, and it'll eat into their free time."
"Don't worry about that," Kyle said with a grin. "Anyone with common sense will want to join. In fact, I'll be the first to sign up—Professor Diggory."
"I'll go tell Cho," Kanna chimed in with a playful smile. "I doubt she'd say no to an extra class."
As if struck by the thought, Cedric's face flushed again. He glared at Kyle, grumbling, "I told you not to call me that! I'm not a professor! Besides, this is just a remedial class for Defense Against the Dark Arts—so why are all of you suddenly getting involved?"
"We need the remedial class too," Kyle said matter-of-factly. "And you should get used to the idea. Don't forget—Fred and George don't know about this yet."
Cedric's face fell instantly. "Ugh… Is it too late to take back what I said?" he muttered. "I think Harry got top marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts last year—maybe he'd make a better student teacher…"
"It's too late for that," Kyle said, patting him on the shoulder with mock sympathy. "Hermione's probably told them by now. And besides, you're the Head Boy—you can't back out."
Cedric sighed in defeat, slumping into his chair. I can already hear what Fred and George will say when they see me tomorrow.